Bold Mercies

I cannot believe we are at the end of Bold Mercy's Second Season! Wow! I need to say thank you to all the amazing woman who shared their stories! It is not easy being vulnerable in front of a microphone. My heart was always encouraged through these stories, and I hope yours was also! Join us today for the finale, where we will look back over some themes heard in Season Two. 

I am excited to welcome Nanette Smith on the podcast today! Nanette and I met about 25 years ago at a summer camp, and it is wonderful to reconnect. Nanette is currently on staff at Gwinnett Church, but has also served on college campuses, camps, and locations around the world. This is the first time I have had the honor to share a story of the blessings and pain of singleness. Single women have a...

Melissa Mulvaney is my guest on Bold Mercies today. Melissa's voice and laughter rings with joy. It might surprise you to learn she lived through dark times of anxiety, depression and PTSD from a cancer diagnosis.  But God is always at work even in our darkest days in order to produce in us fruitfulness.  We are glad you are here. Join us.

I'm honored to share Christina Wilkin s' story on the podcast today! Depression crept into Christina's life while she was young in High School. Keeping her depression a secret, she resorted to self-harm for release from the inner pain. But God had a beautiful story to write in her life. She fell in love with Jesus in the middle of her depression, and he helped walk her through a dee...

I think there are some stories that take a little more courage to share than others. And this is why I am so thankful for Bridget's willing voice! In this episode I chat with Bridget about her steps to sobriety, the nuts and bolts of re-thinking, and the realization that she is completely accepted in Jesus. We are glad you are here! Resources: Loving What Is , by Byron Katie

I'm excited to have Charlotte Chaney on the podcast today! Charlotte radiates unshakeable faith and hope. But when I asked her what were the building blocks to her strong faith, she said suffering. Actually years of suffering in an emotionally abusive marriage and then a fight against Stage 3 Rectal Cancer. We all long for a life of ease, so I am just going to say what we all know to be true....

I'm super excited to welcome Lexi Peck to the podcast today. We get to chat about her journey with gripping fear, bravery, and the building blocks that moved her from one to the other. She is about to release a Children's book entitled, "What Do You Say To a Dragon?"   Pre-order Lexi's book today on Amazon or at Barnes and Nobles .

I'm happy to have Linda Waugh on the podcast today. Linda's eyes of faith, and dependence on the promises of God are going to encourage you in the midst of any storm you are facing. However, this episode was made with Mom's of special need kiddos in mind. Linda has a 19 year old son who was diagnosed with autism when he was 2. Linda brings the wisdom of someone who has walked a long...

I'm so happy to have Mekdes Haddis on the podcast today. Mekdes was born and raised in Ethiopia until she moved to America when she was 19. We chat about culture shock, deep feelings of loneliness and isolation, the growth of a community, and her vision for global missions. She is wise beyond her years. Thank you for joining us today! Resources: https://www.mekdeshaddis.com/ https://www.faceb...

I'm excited to have Chrissy Mayer on the podcast today! If you have ever had a season of waiting, or if God has answered "NO" to any of your prayers, or if you have dealt with infertility, then you are in the right place! As I like to say, stories lend strength. It is our prayer that you walk away stronger in your faith from hearing Chrissy's story. Thanks for being here. Join...

I am honored to have Allison Barton on the podcast today! Allison is one of America's healthcare heroes. Last March, with eyes wide open to the risks and unknowns of Covid, she chose to serve and prayed that God's strength in her would minister to her patients. We talk about her fears and anxieties, how she battled against these palpable fears, as well as her journey this past year balan...

I'm honored to have Keonnie Igwe on the podcast today! Keonnie has written Black History Month curriculum for a variety of groups, from families with small children to adult small groups. Today we are going to chat about the journey that brought her to this place, and the hopes she has for the future. She is also going to offer the American Church a word of hope and gentle rebuke. You can fin...

Nancy Jonsson is my guest today on the podcast! Nancy has been a wife of a Pastor, Mom to 3, and an elementary school teacher. Now she is Nonny to 12 Grandchildren. Nancy is going to talk with us about living her retirement years well as she cares for international students at her local university. You will find inspiration and encouragement in her wise words. Thanks for joining us!

I am honored to have Julie McFarlane on the Podcast today! After the loss of her husband and 2 young children in an airplane crash, Julie said, "I have never needed the cross to be painful before." Can you relate? Her pain was so deep she needed to know Jesus desperately prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, was crucified and rose again. We are so glad you are here! Join us!

I'm so thankful to have Carolyn Young on the podcast today! Carolyn went into delivery at 21 weeks of pregnancy. Miraculously her son survived his traumatic entrance into the world. At that point in her life she didn't envision what a life of trust would mean, but she certainly has a clearer understanding after 19 years caring for her son. We are glad you're here! Join us!

Rachel Greenfield  is my guest on today's episode. During a particularly difficult season in her life, a season full of stress and exhaustion and overwhelming parenting, she realized she needed help and needed it soon! Maybe you can relate? Join us today as Rachel shares her journey towards health - mental, physical and spiritual. We are glad you are here!

My guest for this week is Ali Kojak . You will love her! 6 years ago, Ali and her husband Chris made a decision to internationally adopt a child with Down Syndrome. Admittedly, she did not understand the challenges that this journey would hold. But perhaps this was God's grace so she would walk step-by-step into this adoption and bring Ellis home. And God's grace has been sufficient! Ali...

Our first episode of 2021 will be unique to the podcast. Instead of another women's faith filled story, I am answering questions today from our listeners. I get to chat about my children, technology guidelines, books I love and our family motto. I look forward to sharing a bit more about our family's story. See you next week for our first interview of 2021! Resources mentioned in this ep...

Beth Schmidt is my guest today on Bold Mercies. Beth and her husband, Jon, have made several profound decisions so that they can live simply and give generously. However, the fallout of these decisions has meant that Beth has had to fight the good fight against comparisons, whether shiny social media pictures or the other moms in the carpool line. But she has also found some surprise blessings in...

Beth Runkle is my guest today on the podcast. Beth shares her journey of building Christ-centered expectancy, anticipation and joy into her home during the Advent season. As John Piper says, "If you are excited about Jesus at Christmas, your kids will be also!" And Beth models that so well! So, join us! Resources: Beth's blog: Practically Pursuing a Christ-Centered Family Jesus Stor...

My guest on the podcast today is my dear friend, Joy. We trace Joy's story from her birth in a remote Philippine village, to her present ministry. Throughout her story we undoubtably see what others meant for evil, God turned around for good. Joy loves Jesus, her family, her ministry, and has a clear vision of the tapestry God created which landed her in this place of service. So pull up a ch...

I'm excited to have my friend, Tali Kauflin, on the podcast today. Tali is with us today to chat about her son's journey with childhood cancer. We dig deep as we talk about the theology of suffering, faith when circumstances overwhelm us, and grace for our most painful moments. This conversation with certainly encourage and embolden your faith in our amazing God! Join us!

I'm excited to have Freda as my guest on Bold Mercies. We chat about God's powerful redemption of childhood assaults, as well as how poetry has had a hand in her healing journey. She will read two of her poems on the podcast today, but you can find more of her poetry at Free Things .  This young woman is a bright light. I know you will love her as much as I do. Join us!

I'm so thankful to have Dr. Karen Bradford on the podcast today. In her story, Karen is going to share about a tragedy and a betrayal. Both happened within 2 months of each other, and both were crushing. Living with co-grief became the new normal. But God's unrelenting purposes of restoration brought her down the path of healing and new life. Join us! Chrysalis: Coded to Thrive by Dr. Ka...

Today I am joined by Lauren Burleigh. We jump in with both feet as we talk about divorce and grief. But thankfully pain is not the end of her story! We also chat all about what flourishing has looked liked for her over the past year. Join us! Resources mentioned in this episode: https://leslievernick.com/ The Emotionally Destructive Marriage: How to Find your Voice and Reclaim Hope Safe People: Ho...